Water supply security unaffected

Waikanae River flows continue to be accurately measured in spite of loss of permanent gauging system. 

The security of the water supply for Waikanae, Paraparaumu and Raumati is unaffected by the loss of the Greater Wellington Regional Council’s gauging station through arson, Kāpiti Coast District Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services Sean Mallon said today.

“Guesswork does not come into it.

“The regional council has various equipment available for measuring the river flow and the loss of the permanent gauge simply means other measuring devices have to be used.

“The permanent gauge was routinely recalibrated using manual instrument gauging and no doubt similar methods will be used since that gauge has been lost.

“We will be working with the regional council to ensure the requirements of our water supply consents are met and that there is agreement on the flows.

“We will need to consider the possibility of using the bores to supplement the river and introducing more restrictive use such as handheld hoses anytime.

“Our operators and Greater Wellington staff have many years of experience in assessing the levels and flows of the Waikanae River and we will continue to use the accurate instruments we have to measure and manage the river long term.

“No doubt Greater Wellington will expedite the replacement of the permanent measuring gauge.

“The bores are there to supplement the river supply.

“Residents can keep the bores at bay by keeping consumption down,” Mr Mallon said.